This article is published in association with United Nations. With violence in south Lebanon significantly decreased since mid-June, UN peacekeepers there have returned to core functions such as protecting humanitarian aid and restoring critical infrastructure as families continue to return home. “The welcome reduction in violence allows our peacekeepers to do more of what we are […]Peacekeepers step up support as families return to south Lebanon
July 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With violence in south Lebanon significantly decreased since mid-June, UN peacekeepers there have returned to core functions such as protecting humanitarian aid and restoring critical infrastructure as families continue to return home. “The welcome reduction in violence allows our peacekeepers to do more of what we are […]EU law on nitrates pollution remains effective, with scope for smarter implementation
July 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission today published the first comprehensive evaluation of the Nitrates Directive since its adoption in 1991. Covering more than 30 years of implementation, the evaluation shows that EU rules remain effective to protect Europe’s waters from agricultural nitrate pollution. It also identifies […]EU trade relations with developing countries continue to create sustainable economic growth
July 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy published a new joint report on the implementation of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) – the EU’s main trade policy tool to support developing countries’ exports to the […]EU Global Gateway strategy: EIB and BIIC strengthen strategic agricultural value chains for benefit of Benin and Europe
July 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB), via its specialised arm for development and international partnerships – EIB Global – and the Banque internationale pour l’industrie et le commerce (BIIC) today announced the start of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening financing for Beninese small and medium-sized enterprises […]Better enforcement of rules needed for a safer social media and online environment
July 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Companies should guarantee that the use of social media and the digital environment is safe, particularly for children and young people, MEPs say. To protect minors from the impact of social media, MEPs want EU legislation better enforced and implemented. In a report adopted […]Commission approves €659 million German State aid for four new semiconductor facilities
July 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved €659 million in German State aid to support the establishment of four first-of-a-kind facilities in the semiconductor value chain. The measures will contribute to strengthening the EU’s position and autonomy in the semiconductor value chain by supporting the construction […]World News in Brief: Aid deliveries to Gaza restricted, UN prepares El Nino response, El Salvador eliminates disease
July 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is calling for greater humanitarian access to Gaza, warning that restrictions on aid deliveries, ongoing violence and funding shortages are severely limiting its ability to reach people in need. Tweet URL Reporting from a recent aid convoy mission, WFP Country Director for Palestine […]‘We face a new ordeal’: Gaza’s search for the dead goes on
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. After thousands of buildings were destroyed in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, local teams and civil defense personnel continue the arduous and delicate mission to remove rubble and search for the remains of missing persons believed to still be buried under the debris of homes […]Reviving communities home by home in Gaza
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Displacement has drastically reshaped every aspect of daily life in war-ravaged Gaza for 24-year-old Mayyada, who is seven months pregnant with twins and caring for her two-year-old daughter, but now she and her family are getting settled into a temporary home of their own. “I hope my […]Commission refers Ireland, Spain, France and the Netherlands to the Court of Justice for failing to transpose the rules on cybersecurity
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission decided to refer Ireland, Spain, France and the Netherlands to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to notify measures transposing the NIS2 Directive on securing network and information systems (Directive (EU) 2022/2555) into national law. The […]Europe’s innovation performance strengthens amidst global competition
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Europe’s innovation performance continues to improve, with the EU’s overall score rising by 11.6 percentage points since 2019, according to the 2026 European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), just released by the European Commission. This result marks nearly a decade of steady growth, highlighting the resilience […]Commission approves Baker Hughes’ acquisition of Chart Industries, subject to conditions
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by Baker Hughes Company (‘Baker Hughes’) of Chart Industries, Inc. (‘Chart‘), both headquartered in the US. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by Baker Hughes and […]Humanitarian aid: the EU must condemn violations of international humanitarian law
July 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a motion for a resolution on the recently-published joint communication on humanitarian aid. MEPs adopted the resolution on the joint communication on humanitarian aid by a show of hands. The plenary resolution follows the publication by the European […]Combating child sexual abuse online: support for more limited ePrivacy derogation
July 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament adopted amendments to a privacy exemption allowing electronic communication services to voluntarily detect child sexual abuse. In today’s vote on a derogation from ePrivacy rules for the purpose of detecting child sexual abuse online, MEPs adopted amendments to the Council position. […]Commission accepts binding commitments by SAP to address competition concerns about services for its popular business management software
July 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has accepted commitments from SAP to address EU competition concerns relating to its aftermarket support services for on-premises Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. These commitments are now legally binding under EU antitrust rules. More specifically, SAP will: The Commission’s preliminary concerns […]Commission refers Romania to the Court of Justice of the EU for failure to pay pharmacies on time
July 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission decided to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to ensure that the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) pays pharmacy operators within the deadlines set by the Late Payment Directive (Directive 2011/7/EU). The […]US-Iran war: Renewed attacks in Strait of Hormuz prompts another global energy alert
July 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Renewed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz unsettled energy markets on Wednesday and prompted calls from the UN maritime agency, IMO, for “maximum restraint and de-escalation”. Amid reports that three merchant vessels were hit along with Iranian targets, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned “reckless attacks” […]Taking the world’s temperature: WHO chief spotlights global health emergencies
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The hantavirus global outbreak is officially over, Ebola outbreaks are growing in Africa and responders are helping recovery efforts in quake-hit Venezuela, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Thursday, announcing updates on global health emergencies. Key takeways Taking the world’s temperature on pressing health matters, […]Remarks by President von der Leyen at the dinner hosted by the Taoiseach for the start of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Taoiseach, dear Micheál, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for such a warm welcome. It is a particular pleasure to join you in this historic Aula Maxima, where both you and Commissioner McGrath were conferred with your degrees. There could hardly be a more fitting […]World News in Brief: Risk of atrocities in Sudan, UN programme prevents climate displacement, more civilians killed in Ukraine
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Drone attacks by advancing rebel fighters who are besieging El Obeid, Sudan, continue to result in civilian casualties, putting around half a million civilians at grave risk of large-scale atrocities. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday that drone strikes had recently damaged schools, a site housing internally […]Ukraine: Rescuers work to save trapped residents after wave of Russian attacks
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Aid agencies in Ukraine on Thursday rushed to respond to a massive uptick in deadly strikes by Russia, including one of the largest attacks on Kyiv to date. According to reports, at least 18 people died in the capital, where densely populated residential areas sustained significant damage […]EU and Armenia strengthen their partnership, boosting resilience, trade and connectivity
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today in Yerevan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, met with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The visit follows the recent general elections that showed the strength of Armenia’s democracy and its commitment to continuing the path of […]Venezuela earthquake disaster: needs ‘skyrocketing’, say relief agencies
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In Venezuela, a rescue operation in La Guaira has succeeded in getting a toddler out alive from under the rubble, six days since the double-earthquake disaster. The miraculous story of the three-year-old’s rescue in the worst-hit northern region came as tens of thousands of people remained without […]Despite record $100 million shortfall, Palestine relief agency still ‘a critical platform’ for Gaza recovery
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN agency serving 5.9 million Palestine refugees, UNRWA, continues to strive to deliver on its mandate while facing an unprecedented $100 million budget shortfall, a gap it hopes to narrow during Tuesday’s pledging conference at UN Headquarters. Operating primarily on voluntary donations since its inception in the […]From saving sight to next-generation logistics: meet the 2026 EU Women Innovators
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. When Dr Katerina Spranger was a child, she came very close to losing her sight. “I had an accident and had to undergo emergency surgery,” she recalled. Precision is a key part of such procedures. Even a tiny error can […]International cooperation critical as terrorism threat evolves
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Terrorism is evolving amid global instability characterised by heightened geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts and growing fragmentation – and the international response must also evolve to meet the challenge. The issue is the spotlight as the United Nations marks the organization’s Fourth Counter-Terrorism Week, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from […]Sudan: UN welcomes extension of vital aid corridor amid rising insecurity
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations has welcomed Sudan’s decision to extend the opening of an aid corridor with neighbouring Chad and continues to express concern over the ongoing escalation in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan state. The Sudanese authorities announced on Monday that the Adre border crossing – critical for humanitarian aid […]Central African Republic peace gains must be preserved: UN envoy
June 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Central African Republic (CAR) “has made remarkable and tangible progress towards lasting peace and security” in recent years, but security remains fragile in border areas, including with war-torn Sudan, UN Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza told the Security Council on Tuesday. Ms. Rugwabiza commended the Central African people and Government for their […]Climate crisis: UN chief lays out solutions blueprint for clean energy transition
June 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As a deadly heatwave continued to grip Europe on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued an impassioned appeal for more ambitious global action on climate change caused by fossil fuels, to prevent irreversible damage. In a major keynote speech at London Climate Action Week, the UN chief […]Commission pays €846 million to Spain to support recovery following the 2024 Valencia region floods
June 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved the payment of €846 million to Spain from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support the reconstruction efforts after the devastating floods that struck the Valencia Region in October 2024. This amount complements an emergency advance of €100 million […]Powering resilience: How Indonesia is building a more secure energy future
June 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As countries grapple with energy price shocks, supply disruptions and the growing impacts of climate change, energy security has become a pressing concern. In Indonesia, United Nations agencies have worked alongside the Government to build a more reliable and resilient energy system which is also helping communities to adapt to a […]The hidden biodiversity battle to save Europe’s forests
June 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. In the village of Suonenjoki, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) stands surrounded by a forest of pine trees. The local soils are not fertile and pine is pretty much the only species that can grow there. But in a […]Georgia and Türkiye: No EU accession progress without reforms
June 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs warn of continued democratic backsliding in both countries and call for reforms and a stronger EU response. Georgia With serious continued democratic backsliding in Georgia, MEPs regret that the ruling Georgian Dream party has not taken any steps to reverse the negative trends. […]
